Williamsburg region prepares for holiday travel

Williamsburg-area residents hitting the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday can expect them to be busy, mostly dry and free from road construction.

AAA projects a 3.3 percent increase in the number of travelers on the roads during the holiday, with 50.9 million Americans expected to travel at least 50 miles. Nearly 90 percent of Virginia residents who travel will go by car, AAA projects.

“Thanksgiving kicks off the start of a busy holiday season, and more thankful Americans will travel to spend time with friends and family this year,” said Judy Ocasio, AAA Tidewater vice president of travel and branch operations.

Ocasio credits a strong economy and labor market for increasing incomes and higher consumer confidence, meaning a stronger year for the travel industry.

Gas prices in Virginia are up 30 cents over the same time last year, with drivers fueling up at a $2.32 per gallon average, AAA says.

The average price in James City County, according to AAA, is $2.33 per gallon, the highest in the Williamsburg region. Gas in Williamsburg and in York County averages 5 cents less per gallon, AAA reports.

Among the cheapest areas to pump gas is Charles City County, where AAA reports the average price at $2.18. It is one of only three counties in the state with an average price below $2.20 a gallon.

When drivers hit the region’s roads, they will not have to contend with closed lanes in work zones. That’s because the Virginia Department of Transportation will stop work from noon Wednesday through noon Nov. 27.

VDOT said to expect periods of heavy congestion from mid-morning to evening on Wednesday, and then through the same period on Nov. 26. The agency advises people traveling in Virginia to download its 511 app to get real-time traffic information.

Road conditions should be good, with the Williamsburg region’s weather expected to stay dry through Friday, according to the National Weather Service’s Wakefield office.

High temperatures will reach 60 degrees Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported. Temperatures from Wednesday through Sunday, according to the weather service, should remain somewhere in the 50s — on the high end Wednesday, the low end Thursday, and somewhere in the middle Friday through Sunday.

The best chance for rain? Next Saturday, but the National Weather Service says at this point, it’ll barely be measurable.

Water Emergencies — after hours, weekends and holidays, call 220-2331.

The city has a 24-hour bill payment drop box located on the front of the Municipal Building at 401 Lafayette St. for city transactions, which can also be made online on the city’s website. Drop box payments made on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24 will not be posted until the following Monday.

James City County

Schools — closed Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 22-24.

County offices — closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24.

James City County Recreation Center and Abram Frink Jr. Community Center — closed Thursday, Nov. 23.